The POWER of Music as Therapy - "Musicogenic Eutherapeia" - Part 4
by Dr. Arthur W. Harvey, B.S., M.M., D.M.A.
In 1986, 1988, and 1990, I organized, and hosted three Music and Health conferences at Eastern Kentucky University, the first national conferences devoted to bringing together music therapists, doctors, nurses, researchers, and musicians creating "healing music" to explore together the impact of music on wellness and health. In recent years the use of music to enhance wellness and health has expanded considerably. Since that time, legislative support in America has provided an impetus for research and program development in using music for aging individuals as a means of enhancing health.
While on the faculty at the University of Louisville (Kentucky) School of Medicine I developed an experimental tape for one of the research projects focusing on using music as a means of facilitating healthier, and more pleasant times of awaking and going to sleep for geriatric clients. Exploring a variety of music genres and recordings, it became evident that baroque music provided just the right balance between consonance and dissonance, tension and release, stimulation and relaxation, chordal and polyphonic texture, and provided cerebral hemispheric integration. Recognizing the stimulus value of tempo, dynamics, harmonic dissonance and degrees of polyphonic complexity, as well as timbre (instrumentation) used, I created recordings to awaken individuals gently and healthily using the music of J.S. Bach.
Also in conjunction with the Department of Family Practice, I developed a recording to assist with the challenges associated with "Sundowner Effect", using the music of G.F. Handel. In preliminary studies these proved to be so effective that eventually, in conjunction with Lind Institute of San Francisco, producers of the Relax With The Classics recordings, I created a two CD set of Music for Health and Wellness - Bach for the Morning, and Handel for the Evening. These were created utilizing the entrainment principle, and in each selection is sequenced to progressively increase in tempo and stimulus complexity. The Handel For The Evening selections, after the initial selections, progressively decrease in tempo and stimulus complexity, as well as dynamics. These, and other recordings are available through Music for Health Services. (26)
In an effort to quantify the link between music and wellness, Dr. Frederick Tims of Michigan State University reported in Alternative Therapies (27) a study showing that patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) who underwent music sessions four times a week had increases in their level of melatonin, a neurohormone linked with sleep regulation and believed to influence the immune system. The therapeutic music sessions involved male patients at the Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center playing, drumming, and singing along with their favorite old songs and new songs. The patients showed a 216% increase in serum melatonin levels compared to readings taken just before the music therapy began. In addition, the levels had increased even more when researchers checked them again six weeks later.
While the focus of this study was to study the effect of music therapy upon melatonin levels, the study also noted changes in other brain chemicals such as prolactin, serotonin, norepinephrine and epinephrine. The conclusion of the study was that increased level of melatonin following music therapy contributed to the patients’ relaxed and calm mood. Therapeutic music experiences may involve a variety of music processes. These include not only listening-both passively and actively - but singing, playing instruments, moving to music, and creating music. One unique instrument appropriate for therapeutic use in a variety of applications is the Omnichord, or the latest version, the QChord. I have used these instruments created by Suzuki Corporation, for all types of individuals and in many different educational and therapeutic situations with much success.
Part 1: The POWER of Music as Therapy
Part 2: Physiological Effects of Music
Part 3: Oncology Applications of Music
Part 5: Emotional Expression through Music, and References
FastBack:
Send Us Your Feedback
